Hypermethylated CpG sites in the MTR gene promoter in preterm placenta.

Aim: Altered maternal one-carbon metabolism influences placental DNA methylation patterns and 'programs' the fetus for noncommunicable diseases in adult life.

Experimental Procedures: Levels of plasma folate, vitamin B, homocysteine, mRNA and protein levels of MTHFR and MTR enzymes in placenta were compared among women delivering preterm (n = 83) and term (n = 75). MTR promoter CpG methylation was undertaken.

Variable Methylation Potential in Preterm Placenta: Implication for Epigenetic Programming of the Offspring.

Children born preterm are reported to be at increased risk of developing noncommunicable diseases in later life. Altered placental DNA methylation patterns are implicated in fetal programming of adult diseases. Our earlier animal studies focus on micronutrients (folic acid, vitamin B) and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) that interact in the 1 carbon cycle, thereby influencing methylation reactions.